Chicago's Best Deep-Dish Pizza, According to Locals - Open Road

For almost 50 years, Pequod's has been the restaurant that people in the know head to pick up deep-dish pizza. It hasn't franchised all over the country, or even all over Chicago. It's just a two-location operation that serves a pie with a crispy burnt cheese crust.
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[@andrewfernandes7383]

When I drove into Chicago for the first time, I had the joy of this being the very first restaurant I got to eat at. Walked over just after checking in and ordered the lunch special. I am glad I made this choice and that there is a video showing off this gem.

[@davnguyen7880]

I'm glad you guys made this video! Went to Chicago the first time last year, and I did the right thing and asked the locals where to go for deep dish. Glad it was Pequods!

[@antiyou9449]

I need to go there. Food Rules!

[@joeldukes303]

Damn right

[@CountSalazar]

Pequods is good, I've had it a few times but my favorite pizza is Labriola. Really underated spot. I've had the usual spots, Giordano's, Gino's, UNO, Connie's, and Lou Malnatties. I always go back to Labriola.

[@ze1and0nly]

Then as a local you went to the very wrong place.

[@Mari000]

Pequod overrated

[@jbadman33]

I got referred to this place from a local in North Dakota where my grandparents live and went there a few months ago. Loved it you even had the manager sitting in the same place I sat at the beginning of the video. 😂😂😂👍👍👍

[@user-mo5hh6gg2e]

Amazing footage, man! Especially the cityscapes.

[@tosht2515]

I've been to Chicago a half dozen times and have enjoyed steaks, hot dogs, Italian beef and certainly pizza but have always been busy with work and since I love to pay homage to *_original_* and/or *_oldest_* I often miss a city's very best when I'm on a time crunch. I went to Pizzeria Uno of course and Gino's East before it moved and returned but never made it to Pequod's. After reading lots of positive reviews, this is the first video I've seen. Cool looking joint and all the pies look pretty fantastic for sure.

[@achengoletkett6764]

Wow. Totally amazing so much topping???? The sausage mushroom and green peppers is out of this world!!!?

[@Kurthustlet]

Open Road Series is fantastic!

[@coughforme21]

Great review. Might fly to Chi-town just to try this place. Looks amazing. Love what they do with the crust.

[@Shaun1gza]

I am from New York and I like NY style thin crust so I can fold the slice but if I am really hungry I love Chicago Style Deep Dish pizza.

[@easycurry10]

Absolutely love the deep dish from Pequod's!

[@backdoorman1971]

Was there on Thursday. It truly was amazing

[@violetmartinez9642]

I’m a proud New Yorker and love our Neapolitan slices, but I can’t hate a Chicago deep dish. Different is never bad it’s just what you’re not used to. Chicago my hats off to you for making such amazing pizza.

[@itsme-qk2vb]

Violet Martinez you have it exactly right

[@PC4USE1]

We also have good thin crust pizza,too. Never had NY Pizza but I hear it is good. We never had deep dish in the neighborhoods till 1980s so I grew up on thin and medium crust pizza. Most pizza in the 60s came from Italian neighborhoods. (I'm 62 years old).

[@gordon4385]

Im a Chicagoan, and i confess I like New York pizza better than deep dish; However.....Chicagos thin crust pizza gives NY a run for it's money.

[@MultiBigbird01]

I'm not american, but thank god I met one new yorker on youtube that isn't hating on chicago deep dish and getting defensive for no reason by saying it's not pizza. It gets so irritating seeing the same argument over and over again. I'm british, and only wish I could get to taste a chicago deep dish. New york pizza to me just looks like standard pizza, and I want to try something new.

[@PC4USE1]

@@MultiBigbird01 Of course, we make standard pizza in Chicago,too. Deep dish didn't become a big thing till the mid 1970s. I grew up on "standard" pizza as you call it. Never had New York Pizza but with the heavy influx of Italians into NY in the 1910-20s, I'm sure it's great. Chicago deep dish is not a "standard pizza" but it is great. You can't eat as many slices of it as a flat pizza. All of the American Chain Pizzas taste like cardboard and rubber. you need to get a good neighborhood pizza joint(NY or Chicago-not LA-who puts pineapple and tofu on their pizzas.).

[@odaddy47]

Wow, on my Bucket list. Never into Chicago style Pizza, but this I must have.

[@erikleirmo9147]

Love that crust my favorite pizza place makes deep dish like this when I go to Chicago I’ll go there for sure

[@Yamiyamzzzzzzz]

Looks amazing. I was waiting for an actually taste test.

[@dianepeker]

I love this pizza. I’ve only eaten it once when I was visiting my sister in Chicago. I want more!!!

[@Amocoru]

I'd love to see something on Kuma's while you're in Chicago or Smoque. Those are my two fav spots aside from Dim Sum.

[@MatrixDiscovery]

OMG my mouth is watering!

[@dr.noddlesandfruitpunch6514]

As a New Yorker going to Chicago I am very excited

[@MultiMegaGameReview]

"This is pequod, arriving shortly at LZ"

[@suhuhsgee]

Fuck! :D

[@barackobama4287]

Oh yeah baby gotta love snake

[@iamstr8fire]

Snake!

[@sgord051]

Living in Chicago, it's hard to pick the best, Pequod's is definitely in the top 3, maybe #1, there's just sooooooo much unreal pizza here!!!! If you take ANYONE there from out of state, they lose their mind, at how good it is.

[@q.taylor2921]

I have never been to Chicago(definitely on my bucket list), so, it is safe to assume that I have never tried authentic DD 'zza. (Does the Hut count?😜😵😲) So anxious to try it!! The one thing that concerned me about the mushroom, peppers, and sausage pie. That would be a LOT of liquid on top of that thing...leaching from the mushrooms and peppers. Doesnt the crust get super soggy? But I ADORE how they lay the cheese, overlapping the borders making the crust...the best part of it!! I'll be in NYC in June...gonna have me some Joe's pizza for sure! But I gotta get myself to Chicago soon after so that it's fresh in my mind and I can make an appropriate comparison! Cheers, all!! Happy eating!!

[@dg-zl1ct]

Trust me Lou Malnati's is better. Their Chicago classic butter crust is amazingly delicious. Pequods claims there crust is caramelized but in real8the majority is burnt cheeses and bread. And if you don't care for that it can turn your tastebuds off. You should try Lou's malnati's when you make it to Chicago.

[@abelcampos4400]

Looks great!

[@brocolli17]

This makes new york pizza looks delinquent

[@bingevintage8124]

Nah breh ny pizza will forever be better, light, can get by the slice and good price point

[@black_rx4549]

@@bingevintage8124 Actually chicago is better at the price point. Will agree on the slice part though

[@danbeau9404]

Native Chicagoan, born and raised on the south side, had every pizza there is except there was no Pequods when I lived there. The guy who started Uno's we called Ike and he was a memorable person. I didn't know he was a Malnotti, he wore a big cowboy hat and gave me a free beer when I picked up the the food for the night printers. I was only 18 but those were different days. Lou Malnotti was a real gentleman and his restaurant on Lincoln Ave was a fun place on Friday nights. At any moment some of the Bears, Cubs, or Blackhawks would show up and you could talk to them just like anyone else. If you haven't tried Home Run Inn on the south side, you can't rate them all. Gino's East downtown was great but usually very crowded. Best Pizza in my experience, a place on the near southwest side called Falco's. I once drove from the northwest suburbs to 4200 S. Archer Ave to get 10 Pizzas for a party, the North siders were amazed. I live in Wisconsin for 20 years and they don't even know what a pizza is. Chicago is in my blood and I miss it every day.

[@boomer1579]

Sort of that way in Phoenix, but it's getting better. Gino's East is here, and somebody on KZbin has a recipe for deep dish which looks promising. I was born (in 1956) and raised in Chicago, too, and never heard of Pequods...wish I had! Italian beef sandwiches, from Chicago, are another "must-have"!

[@boomer1579]

danbeau, you mentioned "night printers". I lived at 129th & Parnell (later Blue Island) and was a night printer at the Southtown Economist, and later at the Chicago Tribune. Something magic and ethereal about the nightshift in the big city (yes, with pizza, etc.)...at least back in the 80s and 90s.

[@EchoSixMike]

There's a sort of evolution with this, from Burt Katz, who started Gullivers, then Pequods then finally Burt's Place. All a little different yet similar. The guy who said that people have a "pizza rotation" nailed it. That's a brilliant way to look at it. All you bloody tourists really should try Pequod's, there's a Morton Grove location too, that's a little more towny. It's worth the drive.

[@lizlorenzsonn9999]

I was going to stage a protest if it wasn't Pequod's. Best deep dish of all time!

[@Beezzzzy_]

I love me some Pequods pizza. I knew right when I saw the thumbnail what it was!

[@beloitcody9810]

That looks fire🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Elyoslayer]

This particular deep dish pizza does indeed seem great.

[@bloozedaddy]

Harp tone at 1:05 is DA BOSS!

[@andregilbert8060]

Was just in Chicago and had a deep dish pizza at Giordano's. The pizza was super delicious

[@louismatassa9105]

I definitely have to ✔ out peaquod's 🍕 because it looks totally delicious!!!!!!

[@thrashertm]

I recommend Labriola; it's similar to Pequod's but not quite so dark on the crust.

[@CriticalThinker08]

where I'm from they call that style "Laced" when you get cheese & sauce edging. Scrumptious as long as it's not too burnt

[@bradyb8003]

MA South Shore?

[@sundawg911]

I would try that. That looks like a good pizza. Not too keen on the chicago style but I like that crispy crust.

[@samrana8529]

Watching this while eating bread and lentil soup!!!

[@blackstoneovenpizza6608]

In the cold wet, windy winter I bet people crave that deep dish.

[@rocwellmedia]

Definitely Giordanos I love it !

[@bradyb8003]

This looks like south of Boston 'bar pizza' with the lacing around the edges and Chicago deep dish had a perfect child 😋

[@SilentReflection101]

I need this in my life.

[@mountainadventures7346]

Deep dish is my favorite!

[@bigpagla]

Guys, I can count how many times i've had deep dish in my Chicagoan life. We only eat it once in a while. Most of the time we eat thin crust and its all about the robust Italian sausage and fennely aroma.

[@tofu_golem]

Look, I get that people from outside Chicago are more fixated on deep dish pizza because it is more different from pizza outside of Chicago, but when you say "Chicago pizza" to someone from the Chicago metropolitan area, this isn't what comes into most of our minds. What comes into most of our minds is a particular kind of thin crust pizza that shows like this never seem to want to talk about, and that's really too bad because when I first moved here, it's one of the things that made me fall in love with this part of the country.

[@srtv8or109]

Looks excellent I truly wish I could find this in Toronto Ontario Canada Eny one??

[@CortezwithaZ]

I think I’m going to start making Chicago’s deep dish pizza on my show. 🎥🍕

[@paulpietschinski3282]

Before i die i hope to visit Chicago and try one of these pizzas....

[@traveljibaro9325]

Lou Malnatis on Wells! Hands down!

[@randomfamilyman4876]

I love the amount of keif in the sauce

[@prepro595]

Toooo much.

[@TheUnatuber]

Now _that's_ more like it! I've seen too many "Chicago Deep Dish" videos where they use pepperoni, sauce, cheese, and that's it! I want green peppers, onion, bacon, olives and a few jalapenos too!

[@joeykarate3148]

RIP Burt Katz

[@tjranumable]

Wow, I just figured the tyclosed. I didn't realize that Burt kicked the bucket. RIP Burt. I see they have now reopened. I hope they are doing a good job keeping the legacy alive!

[@emerickscott]

It's just as good.

[@ulysses51691]

If true, I’m positive most locals told you we actually prefer thin crust. Deep dish is for tourists and once/twice a year occasion for locals.

[@flawlessbylola]

I’m going just for this pizza 🍕

[@ErwinSchrodinger64]

Watching this is an anomaly. How can you have such a skinny manager working in a restaurant that serves Chicago's best deep dish pizza?

[@HeavyLikesSandwich]

No way he's been eating this stuff for 25 years

[@danielashjazadeh6165]

Don't get high on your own supply

[@bingevintage8124]

Because that’s Charlie sheen after all the drugs he’s taken did you not see his bowling shirt!?

[@Reggie2000]

Clearly a vegan actor that they hired.

[@ray7419]

I thought I had finally found Waldo

[@JessicaMarieLayne]

Chicago's Pizza on the Northside. Open till 5am 365. As a bonus their pasta is equally good. You won't be disappointed!!

[@cuntyhunty6691]

I'm traveling to Chicago this fall, and I would like to know which place is best Lou's or Pequods? I'm highly considering just trying both places, but I would love to know what the locals prefer.

[@dg-zl1ct]

I have had both. If you can try both then do that but out of both its definitely Lou Malnati's. I am Chicago born and raised and in my opinion Lou Malnati's is the best. Pequods is good but if you are a person who doesn't care much for burnt taste of cheese and bread, it can turn you off. Lou malnati's Chicago classic, with the butter crust is amazingly delicious and the best by far. Do not leave Chicago without trying Lou's. Trust me on that. Hope you enjoy your trip here. It's a beautiful city.

[@dg-zl1ct]

Fyi, Lou Malnati's is Chicagos favorite rated pizza.

[@Amerikanskis]

this dude is just butthurt when people like pequods better. they have better ratings than lou's on google maps. and i think they are more unique and definitely miss them more than lou's now that i moved away. you can smell a pequods pizza from like 10 feet away. the cheese in burn, its caramelized and that's a big difference.

[@e-money5851]

Pequods is hands down my favorite deep dish and pan pizza out there! Malnati’s deep dish is also great but they don’t use pizza sauce, stewed tomatoes.

[@prernachoudhury2426]

Sheldon u have got to taste the crab Rangoon pizza in Des Moines at Fong's pizza

[@cornelioatmeal]

Another great hosting job by the Toyota Camry!

[@todddiantonio1648]

I"M a Chicago boy,and Salernos on the Fox is the BEST!!!! I judge a good pizza not only when you get it fresh,but how that bigger tastes the next morning for breakfast.Because of course it was so good the night before you can't wait to wake up and hit that sucker in the morning.Make the drive out to St,Charles get the Best and have the make you one to bring back home,you won't be disappointed!! Now I like a good thin crust,but if my back was against the wall and my knuckles were turned out,it would be Salernos on the Fox,a pizza legend.....FO REAL!!

[@johnhaver1264]

LOL

[@TheAgentAssassin]

OMG I always loved the burnt crispy cheese that drips off the sides and onto the pizza pan , now they actually made it part of the pie! SWEET MOTHER OF FRAN TARKENTON TAKE ME HOME PEQUODS !

[@Dazulolwarrior]

If only Katz was still around, but Pequod's fucking awesome too

[@soovincho]

makes me homesick

[@nestlund]

What temp is it baked at? 425?

[@louismatassa9105]

💘 deep dish 🍕!

[@Bmiasada]

that chicago voice crack tho LMAO

[@davidmarquez1267]

The best!!!

[@vanscoyoc]

Pequod's is using Full-Red Pizza Sauce. Can get it on Amazon.

[@InfiniteAthletics]

Deep Dish Pizza is absolutely magnificent!

[@vincenthuynh1397]

Infinite Athletics cheat day huh

[@josedelatorre91]

Infinite Athletics yessir, add me on insta jose_edlt

[@OrbitFighter]

The Godless what pizzas you know are made with a pie crust and custard genius? if anything, i would call deep dish pizza a casserole with a crust.

[@tiffprendergast]

Infinite Athletics yesss

[@masterGAWK9]

YES

[@DavidVBBMLeniPrayForMikeUkrain]

The Disney Channel 2002 Original Long Version Logo should have appeared until 2007.

[@Osiris3657]

I've been to Pequod's. Was good, but didn't blow me away...I actually preferred Lou Malnatis

[@biscorbit]

lou's is better tasting imo

[@amarbaha]

I'm eating pizza watching this...

[@S2000Pat]

Dear Pequod's, Please open a location in River North or something for all the tourists to go. LP location gets crowded enough :)

[@d.lawrence5670]

Tourists keep Pequod's in business, genius.

[@Anonymous-pm7jf]

I don't care for the "What's better" argument. That is B.S. and a waste of time. I do appreciate pizza made with quality ingredients and cooked well. This pizza here looks spot on.

[@boomer1579]

Well-said.

[@pizzadoodles12345]

I can feel the skin on the roof of my mouth burning just watching this.

[@zachm705]

Fork, knife, time

[@taylorbarrett384]

Pequods is mostly crust. The carmelized cheese on the sides is cool. But put your leftovers in the fridge and eat them the next day. You will realize that 95% of what you thought was bland cheese, is actually just straight up 1" thick of dough/crust. A much better option for chicago pizza is Gordianos - its not technically "deep dish", but its the same thickness, and its 90% cheese.

[@Dionydejesus]

Now I am hungry 😰

[@ivangarciaramos3940]

Luv pequads.

[@vikingrbeerdserkr8406]

I've NEVER said "fuck I want that deep dish pizza" but FUCK I want that deep dish pizza!

[@aaroncassell2162]

For the most part people from Chicago eat thin crust pub pizza on a weekly. And we probably eat deep dish a couple times a year deep dish is for the people visiting Chicago. The best deep dish 🍕 in Chicago is Lou's or LouMalnatis.

[@joyjoyoo]

One pizza would serve me a week. Gimme!!

[@salvadorlopez2255]

im hungry now

[@bigjer2899]

No thanks....as long as there is a Malnatti’s why would you order PEQUODS?...YUK! Nothing but a glorified Cheese sandwich. Malnatti's cornmeal crust is unbeatable.

[@escbikolfe6619]

damn damn topping

[@e.w.3989]

Its not how most deep dish pizzas are portrayed. Most Chicago style deep dish pizzas just have cheese and sauce, but this has toppings and a bit of character with the burnt crust.

[@kensmith8492]

Best Chicago style deep dish pizza I have ever had was Conan's in Austin, TX

[@superdupersk8s]

3:08 Shia LaBeouf makes a guest appearance !

[@staggmovie]

I have heard of Pequod's but have never tried their pizza

[@tiagolx7313]

The police can't catch this man for nothing in the world, when the sirens ring this man can hear them 3 days before they arrive

[@JamesSmith-vk2ky]

That sausage pizza looks particularly kind!! 😍

[@bobs1356]

The best. It's my favorite pi,za in the world.

[@bigjer2899]

If you are a real "pizza officianato" in Chicago….definitely try PEQUODS and endure no seating bad parking and mediocre pizza, then off to Malnatti’s for the best….

[@mikebird5148]

Reminds me kinda of a round version of Detroit pizza

[@JxT1957]

is this as good as lou malnati's? i had lou malnati's next to the sears tower and it was excellent

[@dg-zl1ct]

Lou malnati's is definitely better. Pequod's is dryer and if you don't care for the taste of burnt cheese and bread it can turn you off. Its good to try both though but Lou's is definitely better.

[@Amerikanskis]

@@dg-zl1ct pequod's got a better rating on maps actually. so nope.

[@drewksidetour]

that slice of pizza is cold by now man!

[@at0mly]

This better be Pequod's.

[@at0mly]

OK, we're cool.

[@Jamojjamo]

Little Caesar is the best what are you talking about? You must not be a local.

[@FoodKart]

U ppl seems like True Foodies. Got a Fab New Street Food Channel... Check me out guys :D

[@angelusnielson7135]

Ya know. if you actually watch the video before commenting it will make you look less of a moron.

[@narata1541]

Angelus Nielson He just tried to make a joke, which is obvious as Pequods was mentioned early in the video. If it they said Giordano's, he would have been asking for that insttead. Granted, it's not really funny, but some people get a kick out of it.

[@uriel4108]

That looks more like a combination of Chicago and Detroit pizza.

[@MNB730]

i'd kill for that pizza with the burnt cheese crust

[@jocelyn8504]

yes yes yes my favorite pizza place in the world :D

[@jocelyn8504]

tbh tho the original place is the best ^^ not to mention theres bubble tea a couple blocks down :3